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Saturday, April 28, 2012

Saturday Steam 4/28/12

A roundup of my best steampunk finds this week:

First, Marilyn sent over this photo of her favorite costume from WonderCon:

Marilyn tells me this lovely lady made the entire outfit herself, with only a little help from her dad cutting out the wood blades for her wings. Isn't she gorgeous? I'm also digging the bronze and gold ruffles she added on her skirt.

I know it's way too early for Halloween stuff, but check out the crazy cool mechanical spider Amanda H.'s father made for her!

Amanda says, "My mom is very big into Halloween, and last year my dad made beaded spiders as gifts for me and my siblings. Since I had recently explained 'Steampunk' to them ... my dad decided to try his hand at a steampunked spider. This was the result."

Wow, go Amanda's dad!! I love the wrapping on the spider's body, and can't you just see that back piece spinning to release a wire web?

Here's something I stumbled across while following a Pinterest rabbit trail:

Look at these awesome glass bottles. LOOK AT THEM. Wouldn't they be perfect for an alchemist/mad scientist-themed bar? (Or on top of my 'cabinet of wonders'?) I'm especially loving the one on the left for its rocket-ship curves and tripod legs.

The bottles are hand blown by artist Dyland Kehde Roelofs, and cost between $65 and $110 on his website. He's only making 50 of each, though, so if you want to buy me one you'll have to get on that soon. ;)

I was browsing through SuperPunch's archives last week, and stumbled across the most amazing Jules Verne-inspired art piece:

Now, here's where your mind's going to get a little bit blown: this entire scene is built inside thislittle box:

It also has sound, light, and motion effects! Check it out:

After I found this I spent a good hour or two on artist Nemo Gould's (yes, his name is really Nemo) website gawking at all his crazy awesome robots and moving dioramas and other wondrous contraptions. Most of his pieces have an accompanying video, and I highly recommend watching them to get the full experience.

And finally, Ellen McClain, aka the voice of Portal's GLADoS, recently posted a few photos from Momocon in Atlanta, and LOOKIE:

THAT, my friends, is the most amazing steampunk Portal gun I have ever seen. Just look at the gorgeous wood grain!

For the record, I have no idea how Duncan here built this, but I'd reeeeally like to know. I also think he should be wearing a Victorian-style lab coat with an Aperture logo embroidered on the chest. Just sayin'. (Hint hint, Duncan!) (And a huge thanks to Katie F. for the link!)

So...seen something steamy lately? Link to the goodness in the comments!

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5/4 UPDATE: Duncan has spoken! And he says, "Thanks for bloggin' me! The short answer to how I made it is: I work with wood and metal for a living so I have fancy tools. Anyway, I just had to send you a pic where I look less derpy."

Duncan, I'm not sure I could actually define "derpy," but I think we can all agree you look less it here. I would offer a wolf whistle, but I don't think John would approve. So...er... never mind.

Duncan also sent another kickin' photo of the gun:

Yup. Kickin'.

Oh, and I did a little Googling, and it turns out you can see more of Duncan's work at his website here. I even recognized one of his pieces from Dragon*Con's Steampunk Exhibition last year, and when I went to link to that post just now, I realized I have pictures of Duncan in it! So, yeah - small world. :)

Great post, but it got me thinking... what exactly does a Victorian style lab coat look like. I guess I had better go do some research, because I am not only intrigued, but find myself wanting to wear one too. You know, to get my Dr Frankenstein Steampunk Horrible vibe going.

Hi Jen,My 23-year old son recently did the sweetest thing. I've battled insomnia for a long time and sometimes it really gets the best of me. I get cranky and all my otherwise itty bitty problems seem as big as Dr. Who's universe. So he's heard me talk about Steampunk a few times and the other day he brought home a steampunk sleep mask he picked up at Zia records. Is that the sweetest thing or what? Even if I'm still lying awake at night (it's currently 4:00am) at least I feel extra loved while I'm doing it. Love ya,Dorci

I don't know how anyone manages to take good photos at a con! I was at opening night of the Calgary Expo last night, and it was all I could do to not get run over, never mind take photos! But there was some great steampunk stuff, so I'll make more of an effort today. :P

But I met Katie Cook, and she did me a little sketch of a Jedi kitten...it was super fun. :)

Hello Jen.Love that spider, and it's never too early for Halloween.I don't know if you've come across these adorably twins before but there steam powered spaceship is great, I want one as a den! <a href="http://www.wotwots.com/americas/videos/>The Wotwots</a> I hope the link works, I'm not very good with html.Love your blogs, Thanks for sharing.Shelley

Jen, as an avid reader of both blogs, I gotta say I dig your style! And I think a fairy steampunk outfit is in order. I saw these awesome elf ears on pinterest, and folowed the link to etsy. Someone needs to make some steampunk version! http://www.etsy.com/listing/71129609/custom-silver-elf-ears

I was lucky enough to go to Wicked this weekend in Denver, and the whole thing is gloriously Steampunk -- I got so engrossed in the costumes a couple of times I'd suddenly realize "Wait, they're singing." You'd love it -- not all brown, fantastic colors, and I love how they used asymmetric elements in the costumes. You can see some of it in the theatrical trailer -- http://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/

We were seated at eye level with the dragon, http://www.wickedwestend.co.uk/images/time-dragon-wicked-stage.jpg

Steampunk worked perfectly with the story, we had a ball, then I came home and found this wonderful post. What a good day!

Hey, this is Duncan Shirah, I made the Portal Gun. Mo'sStash is spot-on about the spring toggle toes. Everything else is made from scratch. The wood panels are carved from walnut and the innards and arms were machined from stock metal. It's real heavy.